Impact of Solar Land Use Transitions on Soil Health in South Central Pennsylvania

Keywords: solar, photovoltaics, soil health, soil carbon, soil stability, soil quality, agriculture, vegetation management, sustainable agriculture, agrivoltaics, renewable energy
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Due to current expansion efforts of the renewable energy industry in conjunction with the decline in dairy farming profitability, south central Pennsylvania is experiencing an increase in solar array construction. Most solar facility construction is happening on agriculturally exhausted or unproductive soil, and farmers and landowners are leasing out their under-performing acreage to solar companies. These companies advertise their operations as 30-year fallows, implying that the reduction in traditional agricultural practices, such as fertilizer application and constant mechanical tilling, will mimic the benefits of an intentional agricultural fallow, which could result in an increase in soil carbon and biodiversity, less erosion, and higher carbon sequestration. Studies have not been done, however, to investigate their claims or determine how this land-use change impacts properties of soil health. In this study, data obtained through field and laboratory testing in two solar sites are investigated to determine the impact of solar land use management on soil stability and carbon dynamics. Statistical analysis will provide further information on the significance of different variable attributes, including vegetation management and soil type, and how those variables impact the two study themes. These results will provide valuable insight into the impacts and claims of the ever-growing solar industry that is quickly rooting itself in south central Pennsylvania and its soil resources.